Gas cooling for large commercial buildings

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7196454

Davidson, K; Brattin, H D

Energy costs typically account for 10% to 20% of the operating costs for commercial buildings. These costs have continued to rise over the past several years notwithstanding the implementation of energy conservation programs. Increasing electric demand charges have been a major cause of the problem, and as capital-intensive nuclear and coal plants under construction are rolled into the rate base, these demand penalties are likely to become more severe. Electric cooling is the major contributor to seasonal and daily electric peaks. The use of natural gas for cooling can provide relief from high peak period electric prices either directly through absorption systems and engine-driven chillers or indirectly via cogeneration and recovered heat-driven absorption cooling. Although a window of opportunity exists for gas cooling in some parts of the country today, technological advancement and cost reduction are required in order for gas cooling to realize widespread applicability. The Gas Research Institute has implemented a comprehensive development program in cooperation with industry to evolve engine-driven chiller systems in the 100-ton and larger size range with gas coefficients of performance of 2.4, first-cost premiums of less than $100/ton, and service intervals of 4000 hours. Maintenance records of several engine-driven systems installed in the early 1970's were studied. System reliability was found to be in-line with HVAC market requirements.

• Research Organization: Cogeneration and Gas Cooling, Gas Research Institute
• OSTI ID: 7196454
• Report Number(s): CONF-860106-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Journal Volume: 92:1B
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
BUILDINGS
CALIFORNIA
COGENERATION
COLD STORAGE
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
COOLING
COOLING SYSTEMS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEUS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS COOLING
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEAT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER GENERATION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
STEAM GENERATION
STORAGE
USA